To withdraw or not to withdraw: It's all in Wiscasset's hands now. The state has given its final nod to the town's plan for exiting from the Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit.

Maine Department of Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen's August 7 letter to Town Manager Laurie Smith states that the town vote must be held November 5.

Wiscasset Withdrawal Committee member and Selectman Jeff Slack announced the state's approval at the selectmen's August 13 meeting.

“I'm glad it's done,” Slack said in an interview afterward. The committee had started work on the plan in July 2012, he said.

After a July 9, 2013, public hearing, the committee made no changes to the plan that had already received conditional approval from the state. The final OK just received clears the way for the November vote.

Passage at the polls will only count if at least 834 voters turn out, town and school district officials have said.

Will that turnout requirement be met? “I don't have a good grasp on how it's going to be,” Slack said August 13.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com